Hey Rush, Hannity: Stop bashing federal employees

The North Star National ^ | August 30, 2010 | Gregory Lee

[Poundstone]

As a retired federal government employee, I’m offended when I hear Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and a host of other conservative talk show hosts bash all levels of government employees. It seems the all-time favorite government employee to bash works for the Department of Motor Vehicles.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, federal government employees in 2008 earn an average of $67,691 compared to $60,046 in the private sector. This doesn’t count the benefits all federal government employees enjoy.

Not all federal government employees make as much as their private sector counterparts, but many do. For example, a registered nurse working for the Veterans Administration might make $74,460 compared to a nurse at a private hospital making $63,780. However, a federal government optometrist makes about $61,530 compared to an optometrist working in the private sectors who makes $106,665 salary.

What people like Limbaugh and Hannity probably don’t realize is that there are downsides to working for the federal government. Employees face severe restrictions and sanctions on many things everyone in the private sector take for granted. Congress alone determines federal employee salaries and benefits, not the marketplace. Employee organizations lobby Congress, but it’s unlawful for employees to strike if they don’t get what they want.

[Poundstone]

As a recently retired federal employee, I appreciate the comments made in this article. Particularly important is the distinction between federal employees and state/local workers.

[cripplecreek]

Miss Cleo says you will have an unhappy reaction to something you say today.

[mnehring]

Hey federal employees, stop doing things that make you so easy to ‘bash’ and/or stand up to your fellow federal employees that do!

[billorites]

There are some tremendously dedicated, talented and skilled workers at all levels of government.

There are just too damn many of them.

[Nervous Tick]

No offense meant, but there are too damn many sucking at the public teat. Government spending is dragging down the productive class. Why is it off base to comment on this? And how exactly will government waste and spending be cut without reducing government employee salaries and benefits, or eliminating them from the payroll entirely?

[cripplecreek]

About 80% too many by my estimation.

[saganite]

In the process of defending public employees the author makes a pretty good case for not being one.

[Jim 0216]

Hey Rush, Hannity: Stop bashing federal employees

Yeah, and while you're at it, quit bash those in public housing like Obama, poor guy.

[Matchett-PI]

Nothing wrong with federal employees ... just the “public-sector” unions. I want to abolish them.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

[albie]

Private sector employees have a right to dislike and disrespect public sector employees. We actually accomplish something while they collect pay checks and accomplish nothing of substance.

[pgkdan]

I live in VA, the federal worker capital of the world and I can tell you that 75% of federal workers wouldn’t last 10 minutes in the real world. They are worse than useless, they are users and takers who contribute nothing. State workewrs are just as bad. I think that about 25% seek federal jobs because they’re motivated to serve their country in some capacity but the vast majority are looking for an easy way out and unwarranted job security.

[TaxPayer2000]

Where are the direct quotes of Rush or Hannity bashing federal employees?

[mreerm]

interesting to note how many of this type of article start out with “...i’m offended...”.

isn’t that really saying, “...what’s most important here is ME!”

[RockinRight]

I understand both sides of this argument. I do think the number of employees and the benefits should be reduced to match the private sector, but not in one fell swoop.

I’ll also say that it is MUCH harder to get into the government than people think. I’ve admittedly applied for several Federal jobs, and the requirements are ridiculous to where anyone who has worked in the private sector their entire life doesn’t generally have the regulatory type experience the gov’t needs.

[pgkdan]

We actually accomplish something while they collect pay checks and accomplish nothing of substance.

Except for the consumption of our tax dollars, that is.

[MNJohnnie]

federal government employees in 2008 earn an average of $67,691 compared to $60,046 in the private sector. This doesn’t count the benefits all federal government employees enjoy

Get your egos out of the way and stop trying to defend the indefensible.

It is completely disingenuous and dishonest to try and measure pay without adding in the benefits. Fed Workers are some of the worlds best cared for employees.

Sorry a lie by omission is still a lie.

[Le Chien Rouge]

As a private industry employee/small business owner, I’m seriously offended by a federal government that:

1) raises my payroll taxes

2) adds new pages to an already burdensome tax code

3) adds new regulations to an already over regulated industry

...all in the name of keeping a bloated,non functioning bureaucracy afloat for yet another year.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to people who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very revenue that I provide, and then are offended that I may disagree. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest government employees grab a private sector job or start a small business. Either way, I don’t give a damn that government employees are offended.

[cripplecreek]

I was reading that some cities have transportation authority workers who do nothing more than monitor traffic while trucks making deliveries are unloaded in congested areas.

[pgkdan]

I’ve admittedly applied for several Federal jobs, and the requirements are ridiculous to where anyone who has worked in the private sector their entire life doesn’t generally have the regulatory type experience the gov’t needs.

Only if you have what the feds determine is an undesirable skin color. Otherwise you can be an illiterate idiot with no communication skills and do just fine.

[mewzilla]

Federal Employees Continue to Prosper

[USAF70]

I was a federal employee for six years in the USAF and I’m not at all offended by what they say. But then I only made $238.00 every two weeks.

[sitetest]

My own experience as a government contractor for 14 years, permitting me to see what was happening up-close and personal, while still looking from the outside in is:

- Some federal employees are good and competent, even conscientious.

- Many federal employees aren’t good or competent, and many are little more than thieves.

- Even many of the good, competent and conscientious workers are put to work doing things which either add no value to our society as a whole, or actually detract therefrom.

- The basic problem isn’t so much the workers as it is the illegitimate scope of the federal government.

- If you knew who to axe, you could eliminate 50% of federal workers and probably see a rise in overall productivity of the government as a whole.

- If you eliminated the bad, incompetent and morally-corrupt AND eliminated even only the most egregiously destructive parts of the federal government, you could reduce the head count by 70% or more.

- It really wouldn’t matter that much, as even if you eliminated the entire civilian workforce (while still magically “accomplishing” all the government currently does), you’d reduce federal spending by only about 10%.

[RockinRight]

Agreed. Abolishing public sector unions would go a long way towards reducing waste. Attrition would take care of reducing staffing without mass layoffs, which, public, private, or whatever, is the last thing we need.

[cripplecreek]

Except for the consumption of our tax dollars, that is.

There is no such thing as a government job that isn't a drain on the economy. Some are necessary, most are not.

[edpc]

What probably offends most private sector workers is that their taxes pay for the sometimes higher salaries of government workers. They forget that federal employees pay taxes too, so the direct cost to the government is reduced.

This is stupid. Without the private sector money paying the initial salary, there is no income to be taxed. You cannot hire an infinite number of government employees and say you're reducing costs.

[TexasCajun]

Seems the author can not bring himself to use the U-WORD, but rather calls them organizations.

...and his organizations aren't allowed to strike.

[Ev Reeman]

As a former federal employee myself, there is much to criticize about the federal government and federal employees.

But I am not saying that ALL federal employees are bad. They are not all bad.

The ones that are are typically the mindless paper pushing tenured bureaucrattx leaders with a sense of entitlement. It is in fact the massive government bureaucracy that is part and parcel the chief factor behind most of America’s problems. Returning power and restoring states rights would end federal bureaucracies and at the same time return much freedom and individual liberty to the people as well.

The more massive a bureaucracy becomes such as the federal government, the more waste fraud and abuse are able to find a home there...and thrive.

[bill1952]

Great qoute from Jack Nicholson

[Solson]

No...please KEEP hammering on federal employees except for those involved with the Security of the United States, i.e. - the Military, FBI, CIA, DIA, NSA.

The rest of the bloated bureaucracy employees should realize their role and why they should be being paid less than an equivalent private employee.

It's the constant CYA mentality of federal employees and the need to spend all money in the budget lest they not receive the same amount next year.... Reminds me of my ex-wife.

[RockinRight]

What you say is true.

HOWEVER:

There are a few differences. First thing, there are no minimum-wage jobs in the government, this skews numbers up, a little. Secondly, the cost of living in DC (where many fed jobs are) is atrocious compared to many areas.

Adjusting for that, benefits/salaries may still be high, but let’s make sure we’re making a fair comparison.

[Doohickey]

Sorry you couldn’t cut it in the private sector. And you’re welcome for your retirement benefits.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Not all federal government employees make as much as their private sector counterparts, but many do. For example, a registered nurse working for the Veterans Administration might make $74,460 compared to a nurse at a private hospital making $63,780. However, a federal government optometrist makes about $61,530 compared to an optometrist working in the private sectors who makes $106,665 salary. What people like Limbaugh and Hannity probably don’t realize is that there are downsides to working for the federal government. Employees face severe restrictions and sanctions on many things everyone in the private sector take for granted. Congress alone determines federal employee salaries and benefits, not the marketplace. Employee organizations lobby Congress, but it’s unlawful for employees to strike if they don’t get what they want.”

This is BS. Federal government employees have hit the lottery. They get 99.99% job security and short committing a crime cannot lose their jobs. Who get’s that? How could you run a business like that? A business that cant print money would go bankrupt fast. Eight weeks vacation plus sick leave.

They get yearly cost of living increases, JUST AS A REWARD FOR LIVING! If they actually do something they get merit raises on top of that. They get golden health care and taxpayer paid retirement. I live in MD the home of the federal employees (with Northern VA) and I hear stories that would make your hair stand up. I know those living in MD that get 70-80K for loading software applications, or turning screws and are direct government employees.

[SoFloFreeper]

As a retired federal government employee, I’m offended when I hear Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and a host of other conservative talk show hosts bash all levels of government employees...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, federal government employees in 2008 earn an average of $67,691 compared to $60,046 in the private sector. This doesn’t count the benefits all federal government employees enjoy.

Someone call the Whaaaambulance. Offended? I'll tell you what offends ME: the truth. And the truth, if the USA TODAY (not a conservative paper) is to be believed, is that this guy's numbers are way off target.

Federal compensation is nearly double that of private compensation...and federal PAY has beat inflation by 33% since 2000. Ridiculous.

Sorry, retiree Poundstone. You did a fine job I'm sure. But you did it with my dollars. And no one--NO ONE--can convince me that the federal government isn't a bloated, blood-sucking tick that needs to be lanced.

"You don't know what it's like out there. I've worked in the private sector. They expect results."

[RockinRight]

Hmmm...perhaps it was checking off “White” that hurt me.

[pnh102]

Why is it wrong for private citizens to criticize government employees at any level? The latter is on the payroll of the former.

[mewzilla]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

Sweet...

[tiki]

My husband is on a government board, not only are they hamstrung by the whims of those higher up but the employees are expected to do twice what they could possible do. Then they add in more stupidity than you can imagine and so no real work gets accomplished.

One recent example, things weren’t getting done to their satisfaction so all local offices were required to call in every 15 minutes and outline what they had done for the last 15 minutes! Insane!!!

[Big Horn]

80% sounds about right.

[Need4Truth]

As a private-sector employee, my job like most in my profession did not last until retirement age. Meanwhile, the government class grows and grows and grows. So government employees can be offended. I don’t feel your pain.

[mountainlion]

I am a retired Federal Employee and I have seen much waste. One guy read newspapers all morning and looked at a computer print out then disappeared. One girl showed up to sigh in and then disappeared. They can't fire or even discipline these persons. IBM got $1B to developer a system said they could not do it and took the money and ran. All of the government needs oversight.

[RockinRight]

Honestly I’d favor just an attrition policy (LOTS of Federal employees are retiring within 10 yrs) to reduce staffing. That, plus making benefits more in line with comparable private-sector jobs, and consolidating duties over time as people leave, is a reasonable idea because, as you say, it’s not that big a chunk.

It’s ENTITLEMENTS that cost so much money, and nobody has the b@lls to touch those.

[Macoozie]

FIRE 75% of Federal Employees, except uniformed military.
I might respect the remaining 25% a little bit then, but still a bunch of leeches.

Uniformed military risk their lives to defend us. Civilian employess of the military do not.

Give the money rescued from the leeches to the uniformed military, for medical care, pensions and family needs. Take care of and honor our Heroes, not the leeching zeros.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Ever tried doing business with a government agency ?
Consider the Defense Fuel Supply Administration in Alexandria, VA, for example.
Speaking English as a second language must be a primary consideration for being hired at this outfit. No one I talked to, in the course of 16 years, could speak or write past a 6th grade level.
All were tops in mailing out mind-numbing forms which would be returned for the slightest omission (are you a minority/female owned business, do you qualify for some special handout) etc.
Long waits or sleepy responses were standard. On one sale, we got paid in five months.
They didn’t care and they demonstrated this attitude over and over.

[albie]

Public sector employees are similar to union thugs. Both take money that isn’t owed them. Both get jobs and KEEP them through thick and thin, no matter how incompetent. There are few if any public sector jobs or departments that couldn’t be more efficiently run by the private sector.

[Smokin' Joe]

...but the employees are expected to do twice what they could possible do. Then they add in more stupidity than you can imagine and so no real work gets accomplished.

This adds credibility to claims of being understaffed, which means more people are needed which means the department will become 'more important', because the 'importance' of governement departments is based on size, not task.

Of course, that translates to a resume builder for the higher ups, and increases in grade (pay).

It is an inherent flaw in the system and a counterproductive one.

[albie]

Correction: Both take money from sources that don’t earn it.

[muawiyah]

30% of your federal employees are postal workers. Another 30% work for Department of Defense and directly assist in defending this nation against foreign enemies.

So, your letter carrier has you POd and you work for AlQaida ~ I can see how that could lead someone to hate federal government employees.

[what's up]

Many government jobs are unique. Police officers, judges, prosecutors, school teachers, special agents for the FBI, DEA, Border Patrol agents, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coastguardsmen, astronauts, diplomats and CIA spies are all exclusively government positions

What...no enviros, social workers, clerks, social workers listed?

Get rid of the bulk of these four categories plus teachers and we would have a couple trillion savings right there.

[drbuzzard]

Funny though, if you read the comments, it appears that author didn’t bother to get his facts straight.